The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has issued a compelling call to action, urging all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to unite and confront the complex challenges facing their communities.
Ogbuku’s clarion call was made during a significant meeting at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, where he welcomed a delegation from the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on a solidarity visit.
Emphasizing the foundational principle of inclusiveness, Ogbuku reiterated the Commission’s mandate to foster sustainable development across all communities within the nine states comprising the Niger Delta region. He stated, “NDDC is for the nine states of the Niger Delta region, meaning I am here to work in the interest of the nine states of the region. No matter your ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, we all face the same challenges. Therefore, we must all work together to address our challenges.”
Ogbuku further stressed the commitment to inclusiveness, aligning it with the global vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized that, regardless of ethnicity, the people of the Niger Delta are bound by common challenges, including underdevelopment and ecological issues, which the Commission is poised to tackle.
To accelerate progress and address persistent underdevelopment, Ogbuku disclosed the Commission’s adoption of a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy to fund major projects. This approach involves collaborative efforts with corporate organizations and state governments in the Niger Delta region. Ogbuku shared, “We are actively engaged in solar power projects to contribute to the fight against climate change. Our goal is to electrify every community using solar energy, while also seeking to recover carbon credits through our projects.”
Highlighting strategic partnerships, Ogbuku announced critical collaborations with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. These collaborations aim to revitalize essential projects such as the Bonny Ring Road, Okrika-Borokiri Road, and Sampou-Sabagrigha-Ulako Road and Bridge projects, aligning with the SDGs’ focus on infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.
In an earlier address, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, acknowledged the NDDC’s progress under Dr. Ogbuku’s leadership. He commended Ogbuku’s exemplary leadership and appealed to the Federal Government to fulfill its financial obligations to the NDDC, recognizing the Commission as the primary driver of sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
*Pius Ughakpoteni, Director, Corporate Affairs, October 18, 2023.*
